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ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 470 Yocumtown Road, Etters, PA 17319 717-938-0651 Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

http://www.facebook.com/zionetters www.zionetters.com

ZION TIDINGS

Dear People of God, I’ve been thinking a lot about why church is important. There are so many people in the world today who believe that church is not a necessary piece of their faith life. And so I’ve been contemplating why it is an important part of mine. I have to think kind of hard to get beyond the easy answers – I like church, I’ve always gone to church, I feel guilty when I don’t go to church, my friends go to church. If I’m talking to someone for whom those things are not true – those answers don’t hold much water. So back to the drawing board – why do I really go to church? Here’s what I came up with. 1. It’s a community of people who believe in Jesus.

I value having that community with a similar core belief. I know I can trust that we are all alike in that important way.

September 2014

Our Mission Statement

 

We are rooted in God’s Love, • We proclaim

Christ’s message, • Support each

other, • Share our joy, • And live our faith.

WORSHIP: 9:00 am

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

10:30 AM (during school year)

Reverend Abigail Leese

432-3771, 521-2167

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2. I value knowing that when my belief is waning there are other people in that community who can help build me up.

3. I think sometimes the church knows what I need

before I do. So even when I don’t know I don’t know communion is what I need the community is offering it to me. Even when I don’t realize bible study is what I need the church is calling me to it. Having a group of people who care about my faith and who are there to help me in my faith is valuable to me. 

What are your answers? Why is church important to you? And who have you shared that with today? Peace, Pastor Abby

Photos for the Newsletter! Have something fun going on in your life (we know you do!)? Email us (pastor.abby.leese@gmail.com or zion.etters.news@gmail.com) a photo of something that you’ve been up to in the past month or two and we’ll put it in the newsletter. Let’s share our joys, our accomplishments, and our loves with each other!

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Sermon August 24, 2014

Matthew 16:13-20

Who do you say that I am? Jesus asks his disciples today. And while we'll deal in a minute with who we say Jesus is. First I want to deal with the tough question that is implicit in this text. Who do you say that you are? What are some words you'd use to describe yourself? +++ Now let's assume that there are some words that you would use that are more magnificent than what you just named. Descriptions that you are just too modest to say in public. And we can be sure there are some words that you use to describe yourself in your head that are unfit to be said in public. Words that express how much you loathe yourself. What you named is some good middle ground material - words that we would use to describe ourselves to someone who didn't know us at all. Now the even harder question - who do you think Jesus says you are? How would Jesus describe you to someone else? I think the core of that answer is - loved. We are people loved by God. Our ambitions, our goals, our failures, our

Worship in the Park

We will be worshiping the first Wednesday of September at 6:30pm at Goldsboro park. Communion will be served at this service. We will gather for a” bring your own picnic” at 5:45pm. Please join us.

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personality, our talents are all important to who we are and Jesus doesn't blot that out by naming our first characteristic as beloved child of God. Jesus enhances that. There's a part in Harry Potter where Fleur - a beautiful young lady whose loveliness usually dims everyone else who is close to her. Usually everyone pales in comparison to her fabulous beauty. But on her wedding day the opposite happens - she looks even more gorgeous than usual and she makes everyone else even more beautiful. Her beautiful light casts a beautiful light on everyone around her enhancing them - showing those around her for who they really are. When Jesus describes us as loved by God Jesus puts a spotlight of godly light on who we are. Jesus affirms that we are worth something, that we are valuable, not because of what we do but because of who loves us. Who does Jesus say that we are - we are beloved. That's a description that doesn't change with time. It doesn't change with our abilities or inabilities. It's a description that doesn't change because we change. It just is. Always. I am Abby I am beloved. I would imagine that some of you if you were alone and being truly honest with yourself would describe yourself as worthless, you might describe yourself as past your prime. You might say you are very skilled, or very lucky. Or very frankly you might be unsure of who you are. But none of those things are as important as being loved by Jesus. None of those things have as much power over your life as being loved by Jesus does.

We will be having Communion every week in September. Due to a positive forum held after worship in May we have decided to try having communion every week for a four month trial period. Please note two things. 1. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions please see Pastor Abby or a council member. 2. Please do not feel obligated to receive communion every week. Communion will no longer be ushered in an attempt to make it less obvious should you wish not to commune.

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In today's text Jesus is described in many ways. Jesus asks - who do you say the son of man is? The disciples replied Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah. Many people thought of Jesus as a prophet of one kind or another. Important prophets but not powerful enough to change the future - not powerful enough to change our lives. The identity that Jesus that was Jesus' jam was when Simon Peter said he was the Messiah - the Son of the living God. It is in Jesus' relationship to God that Jesus has the everlasting power to walk on water, feed 5000, and heal a woman's daughter with just a few crumbs. It is because Jesus is the Messiah - God sent among the people that Jesus has the power to change us from the mediocre folks we are trying to do the best we can to beloved children. Heirs in fact of the kingdom. Who do we say Jesus is? He is the son of the living God - the living God who loves us so much God sent Jesus to link his life to ours in death so that we might be linked to him in eternal life. He is the one who gave up his life so that we might have life. He is the one who reminds us every time we need to hear it that we are beloved.

If you’d like to receive text message reminders about Zion events text “Follow zionettersnews” to 40404. You will begin receiving messages from the phone number 40404 reminding you of events and activities at Zion. Approximately three text messages a week will be sent. You will not be able to reply to these messages.

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And that my friends brings us full circle. We may have all sorts of ways of describing ourselves - but the thing that matters the most - is that we are loved by God. Children of God. Entrusted with the kingdom. And that changes us. That brings out the best in us - that love makes us more radiant. And that love can make us confident - confident that no matter what we call ourselves, no matter what others call us - we are most importantly, eternally loved by no less than the maker of the universe.

www.youtube.com/zionlutheranchurch1 - Our youtube account is where you can find brief videos of Ben and I discussing faith topics. You can also find a series of prayer videos I created here. www.facebook.com/zionetters - Zion uses Facebook as a way to connect members and friends with the church.

Volunteer Needed to Advertise

Events! There is an opportunity available for you to help our community know more about what we are doing at Zion. If you are interested in helping to advertise Zion’s events please see Pastor Abby.

If you’d like to get an announcement in the bulletin please get it to Kim Seitz by 9am Wednesday morning. You can put an announcement in Kim’s box in the church office, by emailing her a speedygirl64@comcast.net or texting her at 717.817.1505. Thanks!

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UPCOMING EVENTS – September September 3rd - 6:30 pm - Worship at Goldsboro Park September 7th – 10:30 am Sunday School begins; Food Pantry Sunday; Homebound Communion Sunday; 2:00 pm Worship at Manor Care September 9th – 7:00 pm – Council Meeting September 16th – 7:00 pm - Bible Study September 20th – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm – Newberry Twp. Community Fair Day at Newberry Commons September 21st - Newsletter Deadline September 26th – 6:00 pm – God, Games and Goodies Thursdays in September, 6:00 pm – Knitting and Crocheting COMMUNITY NEEDS Red Land Food Bank – canned goods and non-perishables Diapers and wipes Red Land Senior Citizen Center - white copier paper (8 ½ x 11), cookies and snacks, sanitizing wipes, toilet paper, bathroom cleaner/toilet bowl cleaner, sandwich bags, paper towels, and postage stamps.

Thank you for your generosity.

Power Up!

We are participating in the Stream Energy Power Up Fundraiser - switch your electric provider and earn money for Zion @ http://www.zionlutheranchurch.streampowerup.biz/ To date the church has already received $25 from those who have switched.

You can earn the church money

every time you do an internet

search!

Go to goodsearch.com (you’ll have to sign up – it’s free! – be sure to name your cause as Zion Lutheran Church, Etters) and every time you search for something you earn the church a penny. Be sure to change your default search engine to Good Search! If you need help getting this set up please see Pastor Abby.

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Bible Study is being held on the second Thursday at 9am at the Summit and the third Tuesday at 6:30pm at a variety of locations. Watch Facebook or speak with Pastor Abby for the third Tuesday location. Please join us for a time of learning and fellowship!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Members and Friends of Zion

Ella Barton Janie Baum Genevieve Miller Margaret Price Don Snelbaker Dottie Roller Dan Thrush Denise Staats Linda Trout Brianna Rehm George Cizauskas Betty Kohr Brandon Neifert Becky Collins

Kathy Bittner Pete Brown Shayna Steinhauer Mary Rider Daniel Thrush Donna Martin Pam Schoen Dave Scheibel Barb Nearhood Charles Shenck Gwen Dunchock Judy Treaster Jacqueline Bahr Donna Winterburn Trey Fry Andy Helsley Theresa Cizauskas Tim Baker Esther Long

SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

Matthew Biesecker Evan Hoke Adam Anderson Kyle Buss Amy Plante Daniel Oestreich

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Happy September Birthdays

Valerie Connell September 3

Kaighlee Vandermark

Melanie Walther September 11

Emily Bittner September 12

Pete Staats

Rose Sipe September 13

Wayne Biesecker September 16

Ellen Adams September 17

Ella Barton September 19

Ed Walther September 18

Mike Miller September 27

Patricia Snelbaker

Alexia Appel September 28

Michael Wolf

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CHURCH LEADERSHIP

President: Russ Collins 938-8046 Vice President: Tim Dunchock 497-1751 Secretary: Tena Hunt 873-4403 Treasurer: Steve Shissler 460-0657 Assistant Treasurer: Dawn Shissler 979-1964 Financial Secretary: Liz Wolf 938-1202 Fellowship Committee Becky Collins 774-3595 Music and Worship Committee Helen Hoover 938-2589 Property Committee Dwight McClain 766-1469 Social Ministry Committee Mary Ann Bittner 938-4874 Christian Education Committee Denise Appel 932-1880 Evangelism Committee Tena Hunt 873-4403 Christina Miller 855-4822 Newsletter Editor Gail Craig 932-2481 Communications Director Tena Hunt 873-4403